Performance
Score Breakdown
St. Louis
Rexburg
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Rexburg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
27% higher compared to St. Louis.
Housing costs are a major driver: St. Louis's average rent is
38% higher than Rexburg's.
| Metric | St. Louis | Rexburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,439 | $1,044 | +38% |
| Groceries | $385 | $262 | +47% |
| Utilities | $195 | $180 | +8% |
| Transport | $120 | $150 | -20% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,389 | $1,886 | +27% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 116 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
St. Louis offers 14% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, St. Louis delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in St. Louis is estimated at
$55,000 vs $55,000 in Rexburg.
| Metric | St. Louis | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,000 | $39,531 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 50,562 idx | 34,078 idx |
| Household Income | $56,160 | $50,617 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | St. Louis | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 69.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Rexburg has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to St. Louis.
St. Louis scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, St. Louis leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | St. Louis | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 55.0/10 | 42.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
St. Louis is the larger city
— approximately 5.8x the population of Rexburg.
From a growth perspective, Rexburg is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Rexburg has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | St. Louis | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 273,179 | 47,466 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.32% |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 21.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
St. Louis
Advantages
The average rent in St. Louis is significantly lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to live.
Housing costs, including median home prices, are considerably below the national average.
St. Louis offers numerous free cultural attractions, such as the Saint Louis Zoo, Art Museum, and Gateway Arch grounds.
The city has a strong presence of major academic health systems and a well-established medical corridor, contributing to quality healthcare.
Investments are being made in improving bike infrastructure, including new protected bike lanes and greenways.
Drawbacks
St. Louis city has experienced a declining population, with an estimated annual decrease of -1.79% in 2026.
The city has a high crime rate, particularly violent crime, which is significantly above the national average.
Summers in St. Louis are characterized by intense heat and high humidity.
A high percentage of city residents (21.7%) live below the poverty line, indicating significant economic disparities.
St. Louis exhibits high car dependency, with nearly 90% of commuters using a car for work or school.
Rexburg
Advantages
Low crime rates contribute to a high safety score and a family-friendly environment.
Affordable cost of living, particularly for housing and daily expenses, compared to national averages.
Strong sense of community and family-oriented atmosphere, enhanced by the presence of BYU-Idaho.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities, with proximity to national parks like Yellowstone and Grand Teton.
Short average commute times, making daily travel more efficient.
Drawbacks
Limited nightlife and entertainment options, characteristic of a smaller, quieter town.
Harsh winters with significant snowfall and cold temperatures impact daily activities.
Housing market can be competitive, with desirable properties selling quickly.
Car dependency is high due to limited public transit options.
The median age is very low (21), indicating a strong student population which may influence the city's overall social dynamic.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
St. Louis
#117Missouri, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,439
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
60
Business
68
Rexburg
#28Idaho, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,044
Avg Salary
$39,531
Cost Index
116
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
42.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.32%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
75
Business
68
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